When an NBA head coach describes younger players and their “growth,” he nearly always means that figuratively, referring to a rookie or early-career pro maturing or improving in some way basketball-wise. On Monday, Alvin Gentry actually meant it literally, while discussing 21-year-old New Orleans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who grew by three-quarters of an inch during the NBA’s hiatus.
“I think it’s a great thing when we have guys continuing to grow,” a laughing Gentry said of Alexander-Walker, who was listed at 6-foot-5 on opening night of the regular season. “We like that.”
Although the No.